Job Description

The Commercial Finance Specialist will sit within the Accounts function while operating with a high degree of independence and commercial ownership. The role is responsible for providing end-to-end financial oversight of commodity trades, with a particular focus on deal economics, mark-to-market, China landing structures, cost control and recovery of cash from counterparties.
This position acts as a control and transparency layer between trading, operations and finance, ensuring that all trades are economically sound, correctly valued, fully recovered and accurately reflected in P&L. The role requires a strong understanding of physical commodity trading structures, structured payment mechanisms and landed cost economics, particularly in the context of China agency models.
Key Responsibilities
1. Deal Economics & Mark-to-Market
Maintain oversight of deal economics from execution through settlement, ensuring trades are correctly reflected in P&L and exposure reporting.
Understand and validate mark-to-market calculations, including the impact of forward curves, pricing formulas and contractual terms.
Review how deal entries flow through trading systems into realised and unrealised P&L.
Monitor the relationship between contractual pricing, valuation adjustments and realised margins.
Support month-end valuation processes, including position checks and basic reconciliation with trading and risk teams.
2. China Landing (Agency Model)
Oversee the financial mechanics of China landing structures, with particular focus on agency-based import models.
Monitor and validate all landed cost components, including:
VAT and import duties
CIQ and inspection charges
Agency and port fees
Inland logistics and handling costs
Identify, explain and escalate cost variances arising during the China landing process and assess their impact on trade profitability.
Review documentation and invoicing from Chinese agents to ensure accuracy, completeness and recoverability.
Ensure landed costs are correctly incorporated into both contractual settlement and final trade P&L.
3. Advance Deposits & Prepayment Structures
Monitor and control advance deposits and prepayment structures across commodity trades.
Ensure deposits are correctly linked to contractual clauses, shipment schedules and pricing mechanisms.
Track utilisation of deposits against deliveries and pricing adjustments, highlighting any mismatches or delays.
Assess the financial and credit risks associated with outstanding deposits.
Maintain clear visibility and reporting over deposit balances and recoverability.
4. Cost Control & Variance Analysis
Own the cost control framework across all trades.
Track estimated versus actual costs, investigating and escalating material deviations.
Ensure all pass-through costs are correctly invoiced, allocated and recovered from counterparties.
Identify sources of commercial leakage, inefficiencies or process gaps within the trade lifecycle.
Work closely with trading, operations and finance teams to improve cost discipline and transparency.

Skills Required